Noise reducing apparatus, for floating humidifier, using cap

ABSTRACT

Provided is an apparatus for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier by using a cap. The apparatus for reducing the noise of the floating-type humidifier by using the cap includes a water tank lid coupled to an upper portion of a water tank in which the floating-type humidifier is floated and having an opening, through which a portion of the floating-type humidifier is exposed, in an upper portion thereof and a cap having a predetermined height along a circumference of the opening to reduce an amount of air introduced into the floating-type humidifier. The cap is provided with a through-part, through which a portion of the exposed floating-type humidifier passes, in an upper portion thereof.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier, and more particularly, to an apparatus for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier by using a cap, which controls an amount of air introduced into the floating-type humidifier to reduce the noise.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, humidifiers are mechanisms that artificially maintain desired humidity in a dry indoor space. That is, humidifiers are devices that granulate or vaporize water by using electricity to produce vapor to be emitted into an indoor space.

Humidifiers are classified into ultrasonic humidifiers using an ultrasonic vibrator, heating-type humidifiers which heat water by using a heater or an electrode bar to emit steam, and combined humidifiers combining the advantages of the above-described two types of humidifiers.

In recent years, the floating-type humidifiers, which are easily managed, i.e., cleaned, among the above humidifiers are being widely used.

However, in using such a floating-type humidifier, wind sound is generated due to a narrow passage of a discharge part when introduced air is discharged. Here, a lid may be covered on a water tank in which the floating-type humidifier is floated to prevent water from overflowing and collect discharged water particles into the water tank. When the lid is covered, an echo phenomenon occurs in the water tank to amplify the wind sound, which causes inconvenience.

It is effective to reduce a pressure of the discharged air so as to reduce the noise generated by using the floating-type humidifier. For this, it is necessary to develop techniques for controlling an amount of air to be introduced.

There is Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0008542 (Title of Invention: Air conditioner having noise reduction structure) as a related prior art document.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

An object of the prevent invention is to provide an apparatus for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier by using a cap which is provided on a lid of a water tank accommodating the floating-type humidifier to surround a periphery of an air inflow hole of the floating-type humidifier and thereby to reduce an amount of air to be introduced and discharged so as to reduce noise generated when the air is discharged.

The object of the present invention is not limited to the aforesaid, but other objects not described herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from descriptions below.

Technical Solution

In one embodiment, an apparatus for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier by using a cap includes: a water tank lid coupled to an upper portion of a water tank in which the floating-type humidifier is floated and having an opening, through which a portion of the floating-type humidifier is exposed, in the upper portion thereof; and a cap having a predetermined height along a circumference of the opening to reduce an amount of air introduced into the floating-type humidifier, in which the cap is provided with a through-part, through which a portion of the exposed floating-type humidifier passes, in the upper portion thereof.

The water tank lid may include an inclined part of which a top surface is inclined toward the opening.

The through-part may have a diameter greater than that of a discharge part of the floating-type humidifier to provide a spaced space between the cap and a circumference of the floating-type humidifier passing through the cap.

The cap may further include a plurality of protrusions, each of which protrudes by a predetermined size through the spaced space along a circumference of the through-part.

The plurality of protrusions may horizontally protrude toward the opening along the circumference of the through-part.

The plurality of protrusions may protrude to be inclined downward toward the opening along the circumference of the through-part.

The plurality of protrusions may be spaced a uniform interval from each other along the circumference of the through-part, and the interval may be an interval at which the plurality of protrusions is spaced an angle of about n/360 degrees (where n is the number of plurality of protrusions) from each other with respect to a center of the through-part.

The opening may have at least one recessed groove that is recessed by a predetermined size along the circumference thereof so that humidified particles discharged from the floating-type humidifier and sunken on a top surface of the water tank lid are reintroduced into the water tank.

The cap may be detachably coupled to the opening.

The cap may further include a seating part extending upward from a lower circumference of the cap and inclined to the outside of a central axis of the through-part so that the cap is seated on a circumferential portion of the opening.

The cap may further include at least one discharge hole defined in the lower circumference of the cap so that humidified particles discharged from the floating-type humidifier and sunken on a top surface of the water tank lid are reintroduced into the water tank.

Particularities of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and attached drawings.

Advantageous Effects

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the cap provided on the lid of the water tank accommodating the floating-type humidifier may have the structure that surrounds the periphery of the air inflow hole of the floating-type humidifier to reduce the amount of air to be introduced and discharged, thereby reducing the noise generated when the air is discharged.

In addition, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the echo phenomenon occurring in the water tank by the cap provided on the water tank lid may be minimized.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state of use of an apparatus for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier by using a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus for reducing the noise of the floating-type humidifier by using the cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a recessed groove is defined according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier by using a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a water tank lid of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a cap of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7A is a top view of a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 7A.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are top views illustrating a state in which a protrusion is provided on the cap of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a top view illustrating a state in which a seating part is provided on the cap of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 9A.

DESCRIPTION OF MAIN REFERENCE NUMERALS OF DRAWINGS

-   -   10: Floating-type humidifier     -   110: Water tank lid     -   112: Opening     -   114: Inclined part     -   116: Recessed groove     -   120: Water tank     -   130: Cap     -   132: Through-part     -   134: Plurality of protrusions     -   136: Seating part     -   138: Discharge hole

BEST MODE

Advantages and/or features of the present invention, and implementation methods thereof will be clarified through following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Further, the present invention is only defined by scopes of claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state of use of an apparatus for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier by using a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus for reducing the noise of the floating-type humidifier by using the cap according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a recessed groove is defined according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier 10 by using a cap 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be coupled to a water tank 120 for using the floating-type humidifier 10 so as to be used.

That is, a water tank lid 110 on which the cap 130 is provided may be coupled to the water tank 120 in a state in which the floating-type humidifier 10 and water for floating the floating-type humidifier are accommodated in the water tank 120 to provide an environment for using the apparatus 100 for reducing the noise according to the present invention.

As illustrated in the drawings, the water tank 120 may have a shape that gradually decreases in width downward. That is to say, the water tank 120 may have a cylindrical shape of which a side surface is inclined downward toward a center of a body, but is not limited thereto. For example, the water tank 120 may have various shapes. For example, the water tank 120 may have a hexahedral shape having a rectangular vertical cross-section.

A lower portion of the water tank lid 110 may be coupled to an upper portion of the water tank 120. In detail, a lower edge of the water tank lid 110 may be coupled to contact an upper edge of the water tank 120.

Here, the cap 130 having a predetermined height may be coupled to the water tank lid 110 having the above-described shape to realize the apparatus 100 for reducing the noise, which is proposed in the present invention. Hereinafter, the apparatus for reducing the noise of the floating-type humidifier by using the cap 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring to FIG. 2, the apparatus 100 for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier 10 by using a cap 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the water tank lid 110 and the cap 130.

The water tank lid 110 is a lid coupled to an upper portion of the water tank 120 in which the floating-type humidifier 10 is floated. The water tank lid 110 may have a shape that gradually increases in width downward, i.e., a shape of which a side surface is inclined downward toward the outside of the body.

The water tank lid 110 may be made of a metal, plastic, wood, a synthetic resin, or the like. As necessary, various materials capable of accommodating water such as glass, and aluminum may be selectively used for the water tank lid 110.

Particularly, the water tank lid 110 may be made of a transparent or translucent material that is capable of visually confirming an amount of water contained therein or a state of the floating-type humidifier 10 accommodated therein.

The water tank lid 110 may have an opening 112 through which a portion of the floating-type humidifier 10 is exposed.

The opening 112 may be provided in the form of a hole in an upper portion of the water tank lid 110 so that a portion of the floating-type humidifier 10 is inserted to pass therethrough.

The opening 112 may have a circular or oval shape having a narrower width than an outer circumference at a position spaced inward from the outer circumference of the water tank lid 110. Here, the opening 112 may have various shapes, for example, a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, and the like according to an outer appearance of the floating-type humidifier 10.

The water tank lid 110 may include an inclined part 114 that is inclined downward at a predetermined angle θ toward a center of the water tank 120.

The inclined part 114 may be provided as a top surface of the water tank lid 110 is inclined downward in a direction in which the opening 112 is defined.

Thus, humidified particles, which are sunken on a top surface of the water tank lid 110, of humidified particles discharged from the floating-type humidifier 10 may be reintroduced into the water tank 120 through a recessed groove 116 that will be described later.

The cap 130 may be a member for reducing an amount of air introduced into the floating-type humidifier 10 and have a predetermined height along a circumference of the opening 112.

The cap according to this embodiment may be integrated along an end of the inclined part, i.e., the circumference of the opening 112.

The cap 130 may be provided with a through-part 132 through which a portion of the floating-type humidifier 10 exposed through the opening 112 passes.

That is, an upper end of the floating-type humidifier 10, in which an air inflow part, through which air is introduced, and a discharge part, through which the humidified particles and introduced air are discharged, are provided, may pass through the through-part 132 of the cap 130 in a state of being exposed through the opening 112 of the water tank lid 110.

Thus, the cap 130 may surround a portion of the upper end of the floating-type humidifier 10. In this embodiment, the cap 130 may surround a periphery of an air inflow hole of the upper end of the floating-type humidifier 10.

Thus, a path through which the air is introduced into the floating-type humidifier 10 is provided in only the upper portion of the cap 130 to reduce an air inflow amount itself. Furthermore, when the amount of air introduced into the floating-type humidifier 10 is reduced, the amount of discharged air may also be reduced. In addition, since a pressure of the discharged air is also reduced, noise due to sound of wind discharged together with the air may be reduced.

The through-part 132 may have a diameter greater than that of the upper end of the floating-type humidifier 10 so that a spaced space is defined between the cap 130 and the circumference of the floating-type humidifier 10. Particularly, the through-part 132 may have a diameter greater than that of the discharge part of the floating-type humidifier 10.

Thus, even though the spaced distance between the upper end of the floating-type humidifier 10 and the through-part 132 is narrowed when the amount of water in the water tank 120 is large, a minimum path through which the air is capable of being introduced into the floating-type humidifier 10 may be secured.

In this embodiment, the humidified particles, which are sunken on the top surface of the water tank lid 110, of the humidified particles discharged from the floating-type humidifier 10 may move toward the opening 112 due to the structure in which the top surface of the lid 110 is inclined. Here, since the cap 130 is integrated with the circumference of the opening 112, the humidified particles moving toward the opening 112 may be concentrated around the opening 112.

For this, as illustrated in FIG. 3, at least one recessed groove 116 that is recessed by a predetermined size may be provided along the circumference of the opening 112.

The recessed groove 116 may be recessed toward the outside of the water tank lid 110 at at least one point of the circumference of the end of the inclined part 114 of the water tank lid 110.

As a result, the humidified particles discharged from the floating-type humidifier 10 and sunken on the top surface of the water tank lid 110 may be reintroduced into the water tank 120.

Furthermore, the inclined part 114 may include a unit for guiding the humidified particles discharged from the floating-type humidifier 10 so as to move downward along the top surface of the water tank lid 110.

That is, the inclined part 114 may have a spiral groove (not shown) provided in a spiral shape on the top surface thereof. The spiral groove may be a passage guiding the humidified particles sunken on the water tank lid 110 so as to move toward the opening 112. Thus, the humidified particles may slowly move downward due to the spiral shape and be introduced into the water tank 120.

Thus, the humidified particles sunken on the top surface of the water tank lid 110 may be more stably reintroduced into the water tank 120.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier by using a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a water tank lid of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a cap of FIG. 4, FIG. 7A is a top view of a cap according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 7A, FIGS. 8A and 8B are top views illustrating a state in which a protrusion is provided on the cap of FIG. 4, FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 8A, FIG. 9A is a top view illustrating a state in which a seating part is provided on the cap of FIG. 4, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 9A.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, an apparatus for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier by using a cap 130 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a water tank lid 110 and a cap 130.

Since the water tank lid 110 according to another embodiment of the present invention is the same as or similar to the water tank lid 110 according to the foregoing embodiment of the present invention, the cap 130 will be described in detail in this embodiment.

The cap 130 may be a member for reducing an amount of air introduced into the floating-type humidifier 10 and have a predetermined height along a circumference of the opening 112.

The cap 130 according to this embodiment may be detachably coupled to an opening 112 of the water tank lid 110. That is to say, the cap 130 may be separated from or coupled to the water tank lid 110 as necessary.

For example, the cap 130 may be coupled to the water tank lid 110 by being laid or placed on a circumferential portion of the opening 112. For this, the cap 130 may include a seating part 136 that extends upward from a lower circumference of the cap 130 so that the cap 130 is seated on the circumferential portion of the opening 112.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the seating part 136 may be inclined to the outside of a central axis of a through-part 132 of the cap 130 so as to be more stably seated on the circumferential portion of the opening 112. That is, the seating part 136 may have a shape that is curved outward from the cap 130. For reference, the upward direction may be the same as the direction in which the discharge part of the floating-type humidifier 10 is directed.

For another example, the cap 130 may be coupled to the water tank lid 110 through a hook structure with the circumferential portion of the opening 112. For this, a hook protrusion (not shown) protruding to the outside of the central axis of the through-part 132 of the cap 130 may be disposed on a lower circumference of the cap 130, and a hook stepped part (not shown) having a stair shape to be stepped may be disposed on the circumferential portion of the opening 112.

Thus, the protrusion 134 of the cap 130 may be hooked with a hook part of the opening 112 so that the cap 130 is coupled to the opening 112 of the water tank lid 110. A coupling method between the cap 130 and the water tank lid 110 is not limited to the above-described method. For example, the cap 130 and the water tank lid 110 may be coupled to each other through various methods.

The through-part 132 may have a diameter greater than that of the upper end of the floating-type humidifier 10 so that a spaced space is defined between the cap 130 and the circumference of the floating-type humidifier 10. Particularly, the through-part 132 may have a diameter greater than that of the discharge part of the floating-type humidifier 10.

Thus, even though the spaced distance between the upper end of the floating-type humidifier 10 and the through-part 132 is narrowed when the amount of water in the water tank 120 is large, a minimum path through which the air is capable of being introduced into the floating-type humidifier 10 may be secured.

The cap 130 may include the plurality of protrusions 134 each of which protrudes by a predetermined size toward the spaced space along the circumference of the through-part 132.

Here, the plurality of protrusions 134 may horizontally protrude along the circumference of the through-part 132. That is, the plurality of protrusions 134 may horizontally protrude from an end of the inclined part 114 of the water tank lid 110 toward a center of the opening 112.

Also, the plurality of protrusions 134 may protrude to be inclined downward along the circumference of the through-part 132. That is, the plurality of protrusions 134 may protrude to be inclined downward from the end of the inclined part 114 of the water tank lid 110 toward the center of the opening 112.

When the plurality of protrusions 134 protrudes downward to be inclined along the circumference of the through-part 132, a spaced distance between a circumference of the cap 130 and a circumference of an upper end of the floating-type humidifier 10 passing through the through-part 132 may be relatively closer when compared to the case in which the plurality of protrusions 134 horizontally protrudes. Thus, an amount of air introduced into the floating-type humidifier 10 may be reduced.

Thus, the plurality of protrusions 134 may be adjusted in a protruding direction according to necessity or preference of the air inflow amount.

For reference, the plurality of protrusions 134 may protrude from the end of the inclined part 114 in one direction of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. For example, the plurality of protrusions 134 may linearly protrude from the end of the inclined part 114 or protrude downward at an angle of about 45 degrees.

The plurality of protrusions 134 may be spaced apart from each other at a uniform interval along the circumference of the through-part 132.

Here, the spaced interval may be an interval at which the plurality of protrusions 134 is spaced an angle of about n/360 degrees from each other with respect to a center of the through-part 132. For reference, reference symbol n corresponds to the number of plurality of protrusions 134.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, two protrusions 134 may be spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the through-part 132, and also, the protrusions 134 may be spaced an angle of about 180 degrees from each other.

For another example, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, three protrusions 134 may be spaced apart from each other along the circumference of the through-part 132, and also, the protrusions 134 may be spaced an angle of about 120 degrees from each other.

For reference, referring to FIG. 8C, the plurality of protrusions 134 according to this embodiment may be provided on the upper end of the through-part 132, but is not limited thereto. For example, the protrusions 134 may be provided at any position of the circumference of the through-part 132 as long as the same effect is obtained.

Thus, even though the spaced distance between the upper end of the floating-type humidifier 10 and the through-part 132 is narrowed when the amount of water in the water tank 120 is large, a minimum path through which the air is capable of being introduced into the floating-type humidifier 10 may be stably secured. In addition, the movement of the floating-type humidifier 10, which is not fixed but shaken in the water tank 120 due to an external impact may be attenuated.

For reference, the plurality of protrusions 134 according to this embodiment may also be provided on the cap 130 of the apparatus for reducing the noise of the floating-type humidifier by using the cap 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the same effect may be achieved.

In this embodiment, the humidified particles, which are sunken on the top surface of the water tank lid 110, of the humidified particles discharged from the floating-type humidifier 10 may move toward the opening 112 due to the structure in which the top surface of the lid 110 is inclined. Here, the humidified particles moving toward the opening 112 may be concentrated around the seating part 136 disposed on the lower circumference of the cap 130.

For this, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the cap 130 may be provided with at least one discharge hole 138 defined at a predetermined size around the lower circumference of the cap 130.

The discharge hole 138 may be a gap through which the humidified particles discharged from the floating-type humidifier 10 and sunken on the top surface of the water tank lid 110 are reintroduced into the water tank 120. The discharge hole 138 may have a size greater than that of each of the humidified particles by a predetermined size but not to increase in the amount of air introduced into the floating-type humidifier 10.

Although the preferred embodiment is described above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of this invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

The present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is only defined by scopes of claims and it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. An apparatus for reducing noise of a floating-type humidifier by using a cap, the apparatus comprising: a water tank lid coupled to an upper portion of a water tank in which the floating-type humidifier is floated and having an opening, through which a portion of the floating-type humidifier is exposed, in an upper portion thereof; and a cap having a predetermined height along a circumference of the opening to reduce an amount of air introduced into the floating-type humidifier, wherein the cap is provided with a through-part, through which a portion of the exposed floating-type humidifier passes, in an upper portion thereof.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water tank lid includes an inclined part of which a top surface is inclined downward toward the opening.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the through-part has a diameter greater than that of a discharge part of the floating-type humidifier to provide a spaced space between the cap and a circumference of the floating-type humidifier passing through the cap.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cap further includes a plurality of protrusions, each of which protrudes by a predetermined size through the spaced space along a circumference of the through-part.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of protrusions horizontally protrudes toward the opening along the circumference of the through-part.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of protrusions protrudes to be inclined toward the opening along the circumference of the through-part.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of protrusions is spaced a uniform interval from each other along the circumference of the through-part, and the interval is an interval at which the plurality of protrusions is spaced an angle of about n/360 degrees (where n is the number of plurality of protrusions) from each other with respect to a center of the through-part.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the opening has at least one recessed groove that is recessed by a predetermined size along the circumference thereof so that humidified particles discharged from the floating-type humidifier and sunken on the top surface of the water tank lid are reintroduced into the water tank.
 9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cap is detachably coupled to the opening.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cap further includes a seating part extending upward from a lower circumference of the cap and inclined to the outside of a central axis of the through-part so that the cap is seated on a circumferential portion of the opening.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the cap further includes at least one discharge hole defined in the lower circumference of the cap so that the humidified particles discharged from the floating-type humidifier and sunken on the top surface of the water tank lid are reintroduced into the water tank. 